Roots of the Peace Testimony

After the Restoration of the Monarchy in England, Quakers were suspected along with the Fifth Monarchy Men,
of plotting against King Charles II. To refute this false accusation, they published this declaration
on 21 January 1661.

"We know that wars and fightings proceed from the lusts of men (as James iv. 1-3), out of which lusts
the Lord hath redeemed us, and so out of the occasion of war...."

"That the spirit of Christ, by which we are guided, is not changeable, so as once to command us
from a thing as evil and again to move unto it; and we do certainly know, and so testify to the world, that the spirit
of Christ, which leads us into all Truth, will never move us to fight and war against any man with outward weapons,
neither for the kingdom of Christ, nor for the kingdoms of this world."